Today’s modern hymn comes from Hymnicity, a music ministry with the vision “to see hymns become a vital part of the Christian life.” Writing about this hymn, they say “in his letter to the church [in] Colossae, the Apostle Paul rejoiced to see how the gospel bore fruit among the Colossian believers. He longed for them to see the preeminence of Christ in all things—particularly in their salvation and future hope.In Christ, God has made us alive, forgiven our sins, and triumphed over our demonic enemies. In Christ, God has freed us from the tyranny of man-made religion and given us a glorious future hope. Our old, sinful self has died, Paul writes, “and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” This guarantees a glorious future—”When Christ who is your life appears, then you will also appear with him in glory.” O Christ, My Life celebrates this truth—that our life and hope is Christ himself. He reigns victorious in heaven, out of reach of every enemy that haunts our souls in this world. Our treasure can never fade and never fail—for Christ lives forever, and we live in him. What a joy to have a hiding place in Christ!¹” Enjoy!

My treasure lies in heaven, beyond this mortal veil,
Where death can never ruin, where foes cannot assail;
Secured through all the ages by a covenant of love,
A fount of endless riches awaiting me above.

My peace and consolation will carry through the night;
It rests on the foundation of a gracious sacrifice.
My once-forsaken Saviour has tasted every grief;
The One who knows my weakness now runs to my relief.

Refrain
O Christ, my life, my joy, my prize,
My soul will hide in you, O Christ, my life.

My shield and my defender from all that haunts my soul
Has faced my condemnation and paid my debt in full.
Though death and hell assailed him they could not overcome
So when my strength shall fail me the vict’ry will be won.

My pardon, my salvation, my righteousness, my life,
My hope of resurrection, is found alone in Christ.
No power can condemn me for he was crucified;
Since I have died with Jesus with him I shall arise!

¹hymni.city/hymns/o-christ-my-life

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Today’s hymn is a translation of the 6th century Latin hymn, “Christ­us Re­demp­tor Om­ni­um” written by St. Columba (521-597). He was born in Ireland and as a young man he took Holy Orders. In 563, travelling to Iona which is off the coast of Scotland, with 12 companions he converted the northern Picts to Christianity and established the Iona Abbey, a monastery that became a focal point of spirituality and learning¹. The below version is a modern rendition of the hymn by one of my new favourite groups; enjoy!

Meter: 7.6.7.6 D

Christ is the world’s redeemer,
the lover of the pure,
the fount of heavenly wisdom,
our trust and hope secure,
the armour of his soldiers,
the lord of earth and sky,
our health while we are living,
our life when we shall die.

Christ has our host surrounded
with clouds of martyrs bright
who wave their palms in triumph
and fire us for the fight.
For Christ the cross ascended
to save a world undone
and, suffering for the sinful,
our full redemption won.

Down in the realm of darkness
he lay a captive bound,
but at the hour appointed
he rose, a victor crowned,
and now, to heaven ascended,
he sits upon the throne
in glorious dominion,
his Father’s and his own.

Glory to God the Father,
the unbegotten One;
all honour be to Jesus,
his sole-begotten Son;
and to the Holy Spirit —
the perfect Trinity.
Let all the worlds give answer:
‘Amen, so let it be’.

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¹kpshaw.blogspot.com/2013/11/p389.html

We can often question whether God sees or cares about what we are going through here on earth. Today’s hymn was written to combat that. The hymn writer Frank E. Graeff (1860-1919) was a minister in the Philadelphia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a prolific writer of hymns, stories, poems and articles. I hope this hymn can counsel your soul that Jesus does care; enjoy!

Meter: 9.7.10.8 with refrain

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song;
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?

Refrain
O yes, He cares- I know He cares!
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Saviour cares.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near? [Refrain]

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief I find no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long? [Refrain]

Does Jesus care when I’ve said goodbye
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—
Is it aught to Him? does He see? [Refrain]

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Today’s hymn is written by Chris Anderson with music by Greg Habegger. Chris Anderson is author of “Theology That Sticks: The Life-Changing Power of Exceptional Hymns” and is one of the leading voices in a call to singing theologically rich songs, and the power of the old hymns. Of this hymn they hope it “beckons believers to drink deeply of Christ and find Him all-satisfying.” I hope you enjoy this one!

Nothing I’ve done could merit God’s grace;
Nothing I’ll do can take it away.
I have one hope, in life and death:
I have been clothed in Christ’s righteousness.

Nothing remains since Jesus has died;
Justice was paid; the Judge satisfied.
Great is my sin; greater His love;
I have been cleansed with Calvary’s blood!

Refrain:
Christ is sufficient! His work is finished! 
He is my faith’s Author and End; 
Christ is enough—my Saviour and Friend!

Nothing I’ve sought on earth satisfies;
I was designed to thirst after Christ.
Beckoned by Him, “Drink and be filled.”
I am content, yet yearn for Him still. [Refrain]

Nothing but Christ can undo the Fall.
He will return to reign over all.
Come to us, Lord; right ev’ry wrong;
Soon the redeemed will join heaven’s song. [Refrain]

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Today’s hymn comes the father of hymnody, Charles Wesley. This hymn describes the joy he felt on receiving Christ and becoming a Christian. I hope this is a joy you too felt, and still do! Enjoy!

O how hap­py are they
Who the Sav­iour ob­ey,
And have laid up their trea­sure above!
Tongue can­not ex­press
The sweet com­fort and peace
Of a soul in its ear­li­est love.

That com­fort was mine,
When the fa­vor di­vine
I first found in the blood of the Lamb;
When my heart it be­lieved,
What a joy it re­ceived,
What a hea­ven in Je­sus’ name!

Jesus all the day long
Was my joy and my song;
O that all His sal­va­tion may see!
He hath loved me, I cried,
He hath suf­fered, and died,
To re­deem such a rebel as me.

O the rap­tur­ous height
Of the ho­ly de­light,
Which I felt in the life giv­ing blood!
Of my Sav­iour pos­sessed
I was per­fect­ly blest,
As if filled with the full­ness of God.

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Today’s hymn comes from John Wilbur Chapman (1859-1918). Chapman entered full-time evangelistic work, preaching with Dwight L. Moody and also conducting many of his own revivals. This hymn was written in 1910 when Chapman preached that Jesus was a friend to the greatest sinner. He used Luke 7:34 as his inspiration, “A friend of tax collectors and sinners¹.” Enjoy the version below by Matthew Smith.

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
friends may fail me, foes assail me;
He, my Saviour, makes me whole.
Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him;
tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my Strength, my vict’ry wins.
Hallelujah! what a Saviour!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving;
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Help in sorrow!
While the billows o’er me roll,
even when my heart is breaking,
He, my Comfort, helps my soul.
Hallelujah! what a Saviour!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving;
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Guide and Keeper!
While the tempest still is high,
storms about me, night o’ertakes me,
He, my Pilot, hears my cry.
Hallelujah! what a Saviour!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving;
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! I do now receive Him,
more than all in Him I find;
He hath granted me forgiveness;
I am His, and He is mine!
Hallelujah! what a Saviour!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving;
He is with me to the end.

¹eu.goupstate.com/story/lifestyle/faith/2016/09/29/8216jesus-what-friend-for-sinners8217/25298604007/#

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Today’s hymn comes from James Montgomery (1771-1854). Enjoy!

Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless
Your chosen pilgrim flock
With manna in the wilderness,
With water from the rock.

We would not live by bread alone,
But by your word of grace,
In strength of which we travel on
To our abiding place.

Be known to us in breaking bread,
But do not then depart;
Savior, abide with us, and spread
Your table in our heart.

Lord, sup with us in love divine;
Your body and your blood,
That living bread, that heav’nly wine,
Be our immortal food

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Today’s hymn comes from Dorothy “Dora” Greenwell (1821-1882). She was also a known poet and wrote a handful of hymns. Enjoy reading this one!

I am not skilled to understand
What God hath willed, what God hath planned;
I only know at His right hand
Stands one who is my Saviour.

I take Him at His word indeed:
“Christ died for sinners”—this I read;
For in my heart I find a need
Of Him to be my Saviour!

That He should leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die,
You count it strange? So once did I
Before I knew my Saviour!

And, oh, that He fulfilled may see
The travail of His soul in me
And with His work contented be,
As I with my dear Saviour!

Yes, living, dying, let me bring
My strength, my solace from this spring—
That He who lives to be my King
Once died to be my Saviour!

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Today’s song comes from Kenwood, a biblical music ministry of Kenwood Baptist Church in  Louisville, Kentucky. This would be a great one to introduce to your congregation; enjoy!

Come all people, bow before Him, 
lift your voice for His renown;
Christ has stormed the gates of evil, 
bound the captor, claimed the crown.
Sing the praise of Christ exalted, 
to the Son your tribute bring,
join the chorus, “Christ victorious!” 
Honour to the king of kings.

See behind Him all His faithful, 
with the weak He shames the strong;
all the weary, wounded sinners, 
‘neath His banner they belong.
Come you strangers, find your refuge 
from the foe and enemy,
He makes wand’rers more than conquerors, 
people of the king of kings.

When the battle rages ’round me, 
when I’m failing in the fight,
I will call on Him who found me, 
He is ever on my side.
We shall stand against the darkness, 
armed in Christ, our strength and plea;
hell itself shall quake before Him, 
we are His, the king of kings.

Now we march with Him to glory, 
for His name we e’er press on.
Into death He’s gone before us, 
hear, O grave, His vict’ry song!
His the throne and His the kingdom, 
His the praise shall ever be,
join the chorus, “Christ victorious!” 
Glory to the king of kings.

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Today’s hymn was written by Michael Saward (1932-2015), an Anglican priest and one of the Jubilate Group of writers, a publishing house that promotes the use of quality words and music in worship in churches across the world. Enjoy!

Christ triumphant, ever reigning,
Saviour, Master, King!
Lord of heaven, our lives sustaining,
hear us as we sing:

Refrain
Yours the glory and the crown,
the high renown, the eternal name.

Word incarnate, truth revealing,
Son of Man on earth!
power and majesty concealing
by your humble birth [Refrain]

Suffering servant, scorned, ill – treated,
victim crucified!
death is through the cross defeated,
sinners justified. [Refrain]

Priestly king, enthroned for ever
high in heaven above!
sin and death and hell shall never
stifle hymns of love. [Refrain]

So, our hearts and voices raising
through the ages long,
ceaselessly upon you gazing,
this shall be our song. [Refrain]

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